Siwan Greens Stew with Lentils

Makhmakh

Preparation info
  • Serves

    4

    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
Egypt: Recipes and stories from an ancient land

By Suzanne Zeidy and Rawah Badrawi

Published 2026

  • About

Makhmakh, a Siwan lentil stew, switches its leafy green ingredient with the seasons: vibrant chard for the autumn and winter months, and wild leaves of purslane over spring and summer. Fava beans replace the lentils if makhmakh comes out at breakfast, highlighting the essential versatility of this wholesome meal. Siwans traditionally use offal in the stew but any cut of beef or lamb will do as long as the cooking time is adjusted accordingly. Simmered slowly until soft, the st